SPORTS & SPIRITUALITY IN THE SCOAN

An enlightening article about T.B. Joshua and his passion for sports and people.

Evangelism Through Sports at the Synagogue, Church of All Nations

Pastor T. B. Joshua, general overseer of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), has added a new dimension to his evangelical mission. He has won over the hearts and minds not only of Nigerian youths but the entire sports loving public by establishing a football academy.

Pastor T.B. Joshua

“You know as a believer you must use all proper means to help the youths in this country,” he said in an interview with Lagos-based journalist, David Meshioye.

My People FC – Pastor Joshua’s Football Academy

Determined to win youths for Christ, Pastor Joshua’s “My People FC” serves as a nursery for young and talented footballers across Nigeria and beyond. The man of God has launched an appeal to youths in Nigeria and neighboring countries to join in the selection and training sessions of his academy, backing this up with a promise to reimburse whatever cost they may incur.

“It is not for any monetary gain” he said, “it is all about soul winning.”

Pastor Joshua’s soccer team shows signs of considerable promise as the budding stars of his academy are heavily sought after by renowned European clubs. Three players from his academy currently play professional football with Swedish club – Bodens BK. It has also come to public notice that Dutch team – Ajax Amsterdam has shown interest in Pastor Joshua’s boys.//

Asked about the rationale for creating this club, the pasor spoke about the need to empower the youths, saying, “The creation of ‘My People’ FC is just one way out of many to empower the youths, giving them the chance to reach the height of their careers, and also to help our national team to compliment their effort.”

Pastor Joshua’s Vision for Nigerian Sports

At the national level, T.B Joshua remains a firm supporter of Nigerian sports in all categories. His support for the national football team – Super Eagles has never been hidden. His financial assistance to Nigerian-born heavy weight wrestler Osita Offor, known popularly as Ultimate Commander, has raised his profile as a sports lover and supporter throughout Nigeria.

Both Ultimate Commander and his mentor, T.B Joshua, share the same vision for Nigeria. “When they talk about re-branding the image of Nigeria” the wrestler said, “I think that I stand out as an instrument for that. Sports remain the best place to use in turning around the image of the country.”

In June 2007, Ultimate Commander was crowned African Heavyweight Wrestling Champion in South Africa. Upon his return from South Africa, he expressed boundless thanks to the man of God. Pastor Joshua on his part, has publicly acknowledged his role in Commander’s success. “I am sure you know about Ultimate Commander” he told Meshioye, “God used me to nurture him in his dreams. He is an African Champion with a title belt to his credit.”

Pastor Joshua, the Target of Undying Criticism

Despite his immeasurable benevolence and his ability to inspire his followers, Pastor Joshua remains the object of bitter criticism. For each giant step he makes in his evangelical and humanitarian missions, the man of God gets a gigantic pushback from his critics. A new documentary titled Deception of the Age: The Rise of the Nigerian Anti-Christ is the latest attack on Pastor Joshua, depicting him as an agent of the devil.

It is difficult to tell when the row between Pastor Joshua and his critics will end, or where it will lead the miracle-hungry masses to. Emmanuel TV, the media arm of Pastor Joshua’s SCOAN has been busy warding off these criticisms, asking God to forgive Pastor Joshua’s enemies. On his part, the man of God has only a few words for his critics. “What people do not understand” he says, “they criticize ….”

Pastor T.B Joshua’s “My People FC” is his new attempt to win souls for Christ through sports. What do his detractors make of this?

Pastor T. B. Joshua, general overseer of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), has added a new dimension to his evangelical mission. He has won over the hearts and minds not only of Nigerian youths but the entire sports loving public by establishing a football academy.

“You know as a believer you must use all proper means to help the youths in this country,” he said in an interview with Lagos-based journalist, David Meshioye.

My People FC – Pastor Joshua’s Football Academy

Determined to win youths for Christ, Pastor Joshua’s “My People FC” serves as a nursery for young and talented footballers across Nigeria and beyond. The man of God has launched an appeal to youths in Nigeria and neighboring countries to join in the selection and training sessions of his academy, backing this up with a promise to reimburse whatever cost they may incur.

“It is not for any monetary gain” he said, “it is all about soul winning.”

Pastor Joshua’s soccer team shows signs of considerable promise as the budding stars of his academy are heavily sought after by renowned European clubs. Three players from his academy currently play professional football with Swedish club – Bodens BK. It has also come to public notice that Dutch team – Ajax Amsterdam has shown interest in Pastor Joshua’s boys.

Asked about the rationale for creating this club, the pasor spoke about the need to empower the youths, saying, “The creation of ‘My People’ FC is just one way out of many to empower the youths, giving them the chance to reach the height of their careers, and also to help our national team to compliment their effort.”

Pastor Joshua’s Vision for Nigerian Sports

At the national level, T.B Joshua remains a firm supporter of Nigerian sports in all categories. His support for the national football team – Super Eagles has never been hidden. His financial assistance to Nigerian-born heavy weight wrestler Osita Offor, known popularly as Ultimate Commander, has raised his profile as a sports lover and supporter throughout Nigeria.

Both Ultimate Commander and his mentor, T.B Joshua, share the same vision for Nigeria. “When they talk about re-branding the image of Nigeria” the wrestler said, “I think that I stand out as an instrument for that. Sports remain the best place to use in turning around the image of the country.”

In June 2007, Ultimate Commander was crowned African Heavyweight Wrestling Champion in South Africa. Upon his return from South Africa, he expressed boundless thanks to the man of God. Pastor Joshua on his part, has publicly acknowledged his role in Commander’s success. “I am sure you know about Ultimate Commander” he told Meshioye, “God used me to nurture him in his dreams. He is an African Champion with a title belt to his credit.”

Pastor Joshua, the Target of Undying Criticism

Despite his immeasurable benevolence and his ability to inspire his followers, Pastor Joshua remains the object of bitter criticism. For each giant step he makes in his evangelical and humanitarian missions, the man of God gets a gigantic pushback from his critics. A new documentary titled Deception of the Age: The Rise of the Nigerian Anti-Christ is the latest attack on Pastor Joshua, depicting him as an agent of the devil.

It is difficult to tell when the row between Pastor Joshua and his critics will end, or where it will lead the miracle-hungry masses to. Emmanuel TV, the media arm of Pastor Joshua’s SCOAN has been busy warding off these criticisms, asking God to forgive Pastor Joshua’s enemies. On his part, the man of God has only a few words for his critics. “What people do not understand” he says, “they criticize ….”

8 Comments on “SPORTS & SPIRITUALITY IN THE SCOAN”

Pastor.Dont worry about the critics,continue with what God sent you to do.They are mere distractions.They are the people that dont want the wall of Jerusalem to be built.I am not a member of the church but i like what you are doing.Great Job.We are at your back with prayers.Though i am going through terrible time,accomodation problems and the rest but I LOVE U Pastor Joshua

Nathton Football Academy begins as an idea that struck a young Nigerian, Nathan Okpighe. He always taught of giving back to the society. He grew up in the modest city of Warri/Ozoro, Delta State, where his passion for football developed. It was until Nathan came close with the assistant coach of Teezers Football Club Ajirioghene Obibi, he began to show his ability in the round leather game. Together with Ajiri, who was found on the idea of exposing student to intricacies of football organization, management and investment, Nathan establish nathton football academy. Nathton football academy (NFA) took off officially on the 28th of September 2009 with players from different part of isoko in Ekwerigbe primary school field in ozoro, isoko north Delta State. Nathtom football academy is an academy that will one day become the pride of Nigeria football association and Nigeria football federation (NFF). It stands out among equals. It birth makes the beginning of an emerging era of hi-Tec football.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
• To promote grass- root soccer
• To harvest and expose their talents in order for them to become National and International players
• To be able to produce talented athletes in the near future in order to enable the academy register and participate in national league competition
• To eradicate the menace of youth restiveness

SCOPE OF OPERATION
The academy is structured to serve all the young people of Nigeria, Africa and outside the shore of the country regardless of their race, gender as long as they have the ability to play.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Sports is a global language that all can understand regardless of background. Sports has become front page news in its own right.
Football has been the most popular sports in Nigeria and there is no gainsaying the fact that the passion Nigerians have for the round leather game knows no bounds just as the game tremendously helped in laundering the battered image of the country, so also it has helped in attracting fortune and changing the social economic status of the citizen especially the players.
Thus wherever Nigeria men and women takes to field there is always an atmosphere of camaraderie pervading the air as people share joy where the team are victorious and sorrow where it is the other way round.
Sir, looking into the society, you we discover there are many talented young players but they don’t have the means to be exposed due to financial constrain. That is why we are soliciting for sponsorship in company to enable this academy build youth for the nearest future.

FINANCIAL INVOLEMENT OF SPONSOR
Registration of the club
Salaries of staff for two years
Welfare of staff and student
Bus
Accommodation for staff and students
Jerseys
Training Kits
Footballs for training
Publicity and Advert
Building of web site

BENEFIT OF THE SPONSOR
1. Permanent Advertising: The management of nathton football academy has agreed to give naming right to the cooperate sponsor in the jersey of the academy which will be displayed in the front view of the jersey.
2. Networking: It will be a medium of networking the cooperate sponsor with other companies and government bodies.
3. Media / Publicity: The cooperate sponsor logo and name will be on promotion fliers, event program and local / international newspapers.
4. Logo on Scratch Card: The academy wants to proudly display your bank logo on the scratch card. The academy is excepting to go national and international publicity blitz using both local Radio, TV stations and international networks like DSTV and the internet. The promotion shall be heavy and quite extensive throughout Nigeria and Africa at large. We intend to sell the form all over the country. All through the campaign the name of the bank will be at the fore front as the sponsor of the promotional campaign. It will also show how much the bank loves not only football but also how much she wants professionalism in everything they get involved.
5. Sales of Form: The academy management wishes the bank to sell the admission scratch card to applicants for the sum of N 3,000.00 per scratch card in all the branches of the bank.
6. Commission: The management of the academy wishes the bank to have a commission of N 5, 00.00 only per card.

Pastor TB JOSHUA,please,help me,am a cherish viewer of your preaching,healing etc.and i’ve always been bless by the words of GOD from you.Pastor,am a football player in Ghana,am a Ghanaian anyway,who has the passion and the dream to play a professional football by the mighty help of God.Man of God,i want to play in your club”MY PEOPLE FC”because,i want the bless and the favour of GOD to lead me in my carrier.Pastor please,help me to be part of this loving FAMILY.GOD bless you always PASTOR.Hope to hear from you soon.

Pastor TB JOSHUA,please,help me,am a cherish viewer of your preaching,healing etc.and i’ve always been bless by the words of GOD from you.Pastor,am a football player in Ghana,am a Ghanaian anyway,who has the passion and the dream to play a professional football by the mighty help of God.Man of God,i want to play in your club”MY PEOPLE FC”because,i want the bless and the favor of GOD to lead me in my carrier.Pastor please,help me to be part of this loving INSTITUTION.And i would be very grateful and glad to be the best in your institution and i think by the grace of GOD and by your help as a man of God you will understand my feeling and consider my situation and accept me in your institution .
I will did better to end here with much love and appreciation to you ,thank you ,,,May the lord ,,,,GOD bless you always PASTOR.Hope to hear from you soon.

SIR,
I WANT TO PLAY IN UR TEAM AND WORK WITH U AS A EVANGELISM AND IAM DO IT IN LIBYA, MY DREAM IS TO PLAY FOOTBALL AND TEACHING PLAY ABOUT THE LORD JESUS CHRIRST AS HE SAID GO YE INTO THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL.mark16:15-18, mydream in play football to do sir. i wish u will answer me and sir MAY THE LORD ALMIGTHY GOD KEEP ON BLESS U IF THE GOOD WORK U ARE DOING.AND MY NUMBER 00218926847654.

I have faith oh! Man of God that you will consider me worthy to benefit from the goodness of the Lord, which you T.B. Joshua has exhbiting by helpings. Please sir, help me for I have always dreamed of making football my career and I want you sir to help me actuallize my dream please. I believe you will. Thank you sir.